St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-30
THE LAWYERS OPPOSED.
A Unanimous Sentiment against the
Police Com l sAE on ELL.


The police commission Is quite likely to
be defeated. The bill provides that four
ommissioners shall be appointed by the
district court judges, and shall be mon
partisan" and unpaid for their labors. The
idea is of course to make the mayor mere
figure-head, and by preventing popular
vote to keep the city government in the
hands of set of men who shall be ap-
pointed, not elected. Strong disapproval of
the bill is heard on all Sides but the loudest
the bar, who object to addi-
tional burdens being placed upon
the shoulders of the Judges of the district
court and fear that the election of the jul
dietary will become heated political fight
instead of non-partisan selection. The
following expressions of opinion gathered
yesterday are from prominent at
torneys, Republicans in each instance, and
can be taken as vOicing the sentiment of the
entire bar:
E. NJ. Johnson-No, sir. DO not believe in
police commission as provided for in the
board of trade bill, but l believe in a COMMITS
sion. Why? Because 1 think that by secur-
ing non .partlZan police commissioners the
pollce force can be run like the fire de-
partlnent is ow, uninduenced by pol
itics- L think that such a board
two Republicans, with the mayor as an eX-
oficio member. Let the first commissioners
be appointed by the governor, and then let
the terms OF one Democratic and one Repub-
Hcan commissioner eXpiresevery two years,
their places to be filed by men elected iu-
stead of appointed. The board of trade bill
is out of the question. l think that Mime
apolis if fitted to govern itself without calling
upon the judges OF its court to appoint police
commissions. The board Of trade was about
QualIy divided upon the question Of appoint
ment by the judges, and you will fud how
few outside of that small majority are in
favor of such bill.
cJudge Bailey, OF the municipal COURT
believe in q commission if we can get the
proper men in it. What we need in orr civ
government are good, clean business men,
For this reason l think the office of police
commissioners should be salaried one. I
should think the judges of the district court
would naturally shrink from appointing the
commissioners. and it should not be asked of
them.
\ County Attorney Davis-T am in favor of a
Rsce commission, ] think, but do not ap-
1--WE of the board of trade bill. most en-
phatically do not think the judges should be
required to appoint the commissioners 1t
would be an imposition upon men who are
already snothered with work; BESIDES the
effect would be to make the election of a
Judge partisan officer, and this should be
strenuously avoided. l am in favor, besides,
OF making the Office elective and paying fair
salaries.
Assistant Coundy Attorney Jamison-I sup
nose if Amas was not mayor that no one
would have thought of asking for commits
sion. i don't know much about the question.
and don't understand that there is any par
tieuIar necessity for commission. The
commissioners should not be appointed by
the judges at any rate.
A Il. Jackson-I take only the interest of
a citizen in politics. and hardly think 1 am
gratified to give an intelligent opinion as to
the advisability of a police commission.
| suppose the suggestion arrives because the
present mayor is not popular with certain